RU Shibir Stages Human Chain Protest Against Campus Shutdown

RU Correspondent: Islami Chhatra Shibir has staged a human chain protest at Rajshahi University (RU) against the complete shutdown enforced by a section of teachers, officers, and employees in favor of reinstating the controversial "children’s quota" in admissions.

The demonstration took place yesterday (Wednesday, September 24) around 11:30am in front of the central library, where leaders and activists of the university unit of Shibir gathered with placards.

Speaking at the protest, university unit secretary Mujahid Faisal said the ongoing shutdown was “entirely illogical” and aimed at holding academic activities hostage. “The issue of children’s quota was resolved long ago, yet it has suddenly been revived to confuse students. At the same time, one student organization, with support from its mother party, is trying to use this issue as a pretext to delay the long-awaited RUCSU elections,” he alleged.

He further said such initiatives were designed not only to destroy the academic atmosphere but also to thwart the student body elections.

University unit president Mustakur Rahman Zahid echoed similar concerns. “A vested quarter is deliberately bringing back a settled issue like the quota to create conflict between students and the teaching and administrative communities. Their only goal is to derail the RUCSU polls. A section of teachers, under political banners, is destabilizing the university. Their provocative statements are even pushing officers and employees into hostile behavior against students,” he said.

He also added that the shutdown programme was nothing but blackmail. “They want to convince students that unless we accept their ‘children’s quota,’ no classes, exams, library access, or even RUCSU polls will resume. Meanwhile, one student organization continues conspiring to postpone the election under various excuses.”

Background of the unrest

On September 18, the university authorities issued a notification reinstating the children’s quota under certain conditions. The move immediately sparked protests among students, several of whom launched a hunger strike. Four fell ill and were hospitalized as tension escalated on campus.

On September 20, the situation boiled over, with clashes, scuffles, and vandalism reported between teachers and students that lasted from morning until midnight. In response, RU’s officers and employees declared a “complete shutdown,” while the nationalist teachers’ forum announced an indefinite boycott of classes and exams.

Teachers and officers continue strike

Yesterday marked the fourth consecutive day of a full-day work abstention by teachers and administrative staff, who are demanding justice for the reported humiliation of RU’s Pro-VC and reinstatement of the institutional benefits (children’s quota). Both academic and administrative functions have come to a standstill.

Teachers and officers began gathering at the Shaheed Buddhijibi Chattar from early Wednesday. Failing to reach a resolution in talks with the administration the day before, they pledged to continue their strike until their demands are met.

Professor Amirul Islam, general secretary of the Nationalist Teachers’ Forum, said, “We cannot accept students humiliating the university’s second-highest official. Some so-called student activists had even confined our colleagues before. Yet we have received no assurances from the administration. Until our demands are addressed, we will continue our programme.”

Officers’ Association president Moktar Hossain said, “Yesterday both Pro-VCs sat with us but gave no decision. Today we will again meet various departments. Our shutdown remains in place, and we will finalize the next programme in consultation with all stakeholders.”

The standoff has left the university paralyzed, with no classes, exams, or administrative activities taking place. Students remain uncertain about the fate of their academic calendar as both sides remain adamant.